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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Scarlett O'Toole

Danniella Westbrook claims she's 'never watched EastEnders' and isn't paying TV licence

Danniella Westbrook has said she hasn't renewed her TV licence after being put off by the current standard of programming on the BBC.

The 48-year-old — who is best known for playing Sam Mitchell on EastEnders — also said she has never watched the BBC soap and admitted she prefers Coronation Street.

Danniella said her views on the organisation changed after the handling of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

"To be perfectly honest, I don't pay a TV licence, so I don't watch the BBC," she told GB News.

She added: "Long, long gone are the days of Only Fools and Horses and great comedy and great drama that they made.

Danniella has never seen the soap she starred in (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She rose to fame on EastEnders (Adam Pensotti/BBC/PA Wire)

"For me, personally, I find their morning breakfast show very stuffy. It just doesn't appeal to me."

She said she often finds herself flipping through other channels which she thinks have "more and different opinions on them".

Danniella said she is proud to be "BBC homegrown" but added she has noticed a change in their demographics.

"Back in the late 80s, early 90s, it was a very fun and free place to work and it was very good and very fair.

She appeared on EastEnders on and off for 26 years (BBC ONE)

"But I think nowadays it’s a lot more stuffy and it is what it is."

Danniella believes the organisation no longer caters for the working class. She also said she doesn't want to associate herself with a channel which "advocates a person like Jimmy Savile".

She said she can't condone the handling of the scandal and believes the BBC should be promoting young people and actors coming up through the ranks.

The mum-of-two shared a throwback snap earlier this month of herself and Sid Owen, who played Ricky Butcher in Albert Square.

She captioned the post: "Here’s another little vintage gem for you all #ricky &sam #vintage #30years0fcontroversy."

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